AHMEDABAD: A leopard left paralysed after a road accident near Shamlaji has made a remarkable recovery following more than two months of specialised veterinary care and rehabilitation at the GEER Foundation’s veterinary facility in Gandhinagar.
Suffering a severe lumbosacral spinal fracture, jaw injuries and near-total loss of movement in its hind limbs, the animal gradually regained its posture and natural gait. However, it was ultimately deemed unfit for release into the wild.
Leopard paralysed after highway accident
The leopard was seriously injured late on January 19, 2026, after being hit by a vehicle on the Kheracha-Khodambha Highway in Aravalli district. The Forest Department rescue team recovered the animal and shifted it to a departmental facility, where veterinary officers from the Department of Animal Husbandry provided emergency treatment.
“The leopard’s condition was critical. It was completely paralysed in both hind limbs, could not stand and was forced to drag its hindquarters using its forelimbs. Given the severity of its neurological condition, the animal was referred for advanced investigation and specialised wildlife veterinary care,” said B.P. Pati, IFS, Director of the GEER Foundation.
The Aravalli Forest Division approached the GEER Foundation on January 20, following which the leopard was taken to the Referral Centre and Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex at Rajpur, Himatnagar, under Kamdhenu University.
X-ray reveals severe spinal trauma
After carefully anaesthetising the leopard, veterinarians conducted radiographic examinations. The scans revealed a traumatic lumbosacral fracture-subluxation at the L7-S1 region, with suspected involvement of the associated articular structures.
The injury was particularly serious because the lumbosacral region is closely linked to the nerves controlling the hind limbs, tail and pelvic functions. The spinal trauma therefore explained why the leopard could neither stand nor properly move its rear body.
“The spinal trauma was accompanied by multiple other injuries, including a significant lower-jaw injury. The leopard developed drooping of the lower lips, severe soft-tissue damage and infection involving the oral and gingival tissues. It initially struggled even to consume food and water, adding to the risk posed by its neurological injuries,” Pati said.
Intensive treatment begins at Indroda
The leopard was shifted to Indroda Nature Park in Gandhinagar and admitted to the GEER Foundation’s veterinary hospital.
There, veterinarians designed a specially controlled treatment cage to restrict unnecessary movement and protect the damaged spinal region. Human interaction was kept to a minimum, while the animal was monitored remotely to reduce stress.
“A specially designed treatment cage provided a controlled, low-stress environment. Human interaction was minimised, while the animal was monitored through distant observation. Its movement was carefully restricted to prevent further injury to the lumbosacral region,” said Amit Naik, IFS, Deputy Director, GEER Foundation.
Recovery begins within days
The leopard’s response surprised the veterinary team. Within just three days, it voluntarily began eating and drinking. By the fifth day, normal urination and defecation had returned.
“After about 20 days, the leopard began raising its body using its forelimbs. Around the 40th day, it was able to stand on all four limbs, though it still struggled to bear weight on its hind limbs,” Naik said.
The recovery continued step by step. By around the 50th day, the leopard’s posture had become more natural. At nearly two months, it started walking inside the treatment enclosure.
“About two months and 15 days after the accident, it had regained its natural body posture and normal gait,” Naik added.
Recovery complete, but wild release ruled out
For a wild leopard, even a minor neurological limitation can become a major survival challenge. Hunting requires speed and agility, while territorial defence, movement through rugged terrain and escaping threats all depend on full physical capability.
The leopard has therefore been retained at Indroda Nature Park, where it can live in a naturalistic environment under appropriate care and supervision.
Minister congratulates GEER team
Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia congratulated the GEER Foundation team for the successful rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of the leopard.
GEER Foundation Director B.P. Pati said the case demonstrated why rapid intervention and specialised wildlife medicine are becoming increasingly important in Gujarat.
“The case highlights the importance of timely rescue, advanced diagnostic imaging, specialised wildlife veterinary treatment and prolonged rehabilitation in giving severely injured wild animals a second chance at life,” Pati said.
GEER veterinary team expands wildlife response
The leopard rescue is part of a wider expansion of GEER Foundation’s wildlife healthcare and emergency-response work.
The veterinary wing is led by a full-time Wildlife Veterinary Officer with more than 13 years of specialised experience in wildlife healthcare, rescue and emergency management.
In 2026 alone, the veterinary team has carried out more than 10 wildlife rescue, emergency treatment and rehabilitation operations across Gujarat. These include the rescue and treatment of three adult leopards from life-threatening situations and specialised referral care for two critically ill leopard cubs.
The team has also handled wildlife-safeguarding responsibilities during the movement of the Prime Minister’s convoy at the 52 Wing Air Force Station in Deesa, underlining its ability to respond to high-pressure wildlife emergencies.
Modern wildlife hospital coming up
The GEER Foundation is also developing a modern wildlife veterinary hospital at Indroda Nature Park to strengthen the state’s wildlife healthcare infrastructure.
The proposed facility will provide advanced diagnostic, surgical, critical-care and rehabilitation services, including digital radiography, ultrasonography, a dedicated operation theatre, intensive care unit, pathology laboratory, neonatal care unit, OPD, recovery rooms, pharmacy and reference library.
For the Shamlaji leopard, timely rescue, precise diagnosis and months of controlled rehabilitation turned a case of near-total paralysis into a story of recovery.
